"Stifle your tongue." The prince of suns hissed at Lyra.

"I live, sir." Still shaking, Helios stood in the professors field of vision. "I-I answered your request for an audience. The office was flooded. I dove in to make sure you made it out." Relieved that they both escaped, the boy steadied himself on the table.

"You are a tough old man, you know that?" Helios laughed with chattering teeth. He felt half alive, but that was enough for now.